Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni on Saturday delivered the keys to the first 60 affordable rental homes at Illa Acer, located in the La Marina del Prat Vermell neighbourhood of the Sants-Montjuïc district.
This development is the city's second-largest protected housing project after Illa Glòries. It features 234 homes across two blocks and five stairwells. Of these, 172 have been allocated for affordable rental and 62 under a surface right scheme, according to a council statement.
The Illa Acer development also includes 77 car parking spaces, 12 of which are adapted, along with 54 motorcycle spaces and 256 bicycle spaces.
Boosting Public Housing Stock
The Institut Municipal d'Habitatge de Barcelona (IMHAB) spearheaded this project, investing €32.8 million with funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda. The remaining 174 homes are expected to be delivered throughout 2026.
Collboni stated that this development is "another example of the municipal government's commitment to increasing the public housing stock" to ensure residents' right to remain in their city. He encouraged the new tenants to "fill the neighbourhood with life", noting that La Marina del Prat Vermell is one of Barcelona's expanding areas.
The mayor highlighted the city council's efforts to use all available land in Barcelona to build the equivalent of 10,000 flats in the coming years. This follows the delivery of 1,847 homes during the current mandate.
Home Details and Allocations
The delivered homes range from one to three bedrooms, with sizes between 43.31 and 78.85 square metres. The rental price is set at €10.01 per square metre, meaning each home costs between €401.20 and €789.29, plus community fees, IBI, and other taxes.
Specific allocations were made for certain groups: 40 homes were reserved for local residents, 16 for single-parent families, 48 for individuals under 35, and 12 for people requiring adapted housing.
The development occupies approximately 5,600 square metres, forming one of three plots within the block bordered by Motors, Acer, Ascó, and Cal Sisó streets. The interior of the block will become a central garden, combining hard landscaping materials with large trees and other plants.
